[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 76 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REPAIRING YOUNG WOMEN'S LIVES AROUND THE WORLD--OBSTETRIC FISTULA

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 2005

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to thank the distinguished Member from 
New York, Carolyn Maloney, with whom I have had the pleasure of working 
along side ever since we were first elected at the end of the 102nd 
Congress. She has always been a true champion for women's rights and 
human rights, and I thank her for bringing this important issue to the 
awareness of the Congress.
  You may or may not know that the World Health Organization estimates 
that at least two million women and girls around the world currently 
suffer from obstetric fistula, with an additional 50,000 to 100,000 
cases happening each year. Obstetric fistula, a debilitating pregnancy 
related condition mainly affects girls ages 15-19. The condition occurs 
during childbirth when the infant's head presses against the woman's 
vagina and rectum, creating a formidable hole in vital tissue areas 
around the pelvis, resulting in loss of control of the bladder, bowels 
and nerve damage to the mother's legs. The prolonged labor almost 
always results in a high rate of infant mortality.
  Beyond the significant health related risks that I have just outlined 
concerning this condition, there are also some societal factors that 
further debilitate these women. Many women with fistula are abandoned 
by their husbands and families because of the resultant odor and 
infertility. In effect, they become social outcasts because of the 
stigma associated with the disease, through no fault of their own.
  As I stated before, approximately, two million women suffer from this 
condition. However, studies conducted by the United Nations Population 
Fund (UNFPA) and EngenderHealth reveal that these figures are grossly 
underestimated. For example, in Nigeria alone, close to one million 
women suffer from the disease although these figures are based solely 
on patients who seek and report treatment in medical facilities only. 
This statistic clearly disregards the many cases that go unreported and 
untreated in the region.
  A key factor concerning this issue is that fistula is a preventable 
and curable disease. One form of prevention is a Caesarean section, 
which costs a mere 60 U.S. dollars. Surgery to repair fistula has an 
uncharacteristically high success rate of 90 percent even after a woman 
has had the condition for several years. Most women are either unaware 
that treatment is available or simply cannot afford it. Surely this 
cost is worth the value as success rates have proven to be extremely 
high.

  Funding to treat this curable condition has been rescinded by the 
current Administration. The $34 million in funds for the UNFPA that 
could save the lives of women and children around the world have been 
withheld causing more women and. children to suffer.
  We are here today to introduce the ``Repairing Young Women's Lives 
Around the World Act,'' which would provide that the voluntary U.S. 
contribution of $34 million to UNFPA for the fiscal year of 2006 and 
subsequent years, will be directed to UNFPA to be used only for 
prevention, treatment and repair of obstetric fistula. The UNFPA serves 
as a vital institution for providing crucial family planning and health 
services to women in developing countries.
  In closing, I would like to briefly remind you of some key points 
that summarize the severity of the issue.
  Treatment to correct the condition has a 90-percent success rate.
  For every child who dies from pregnancy complications, 15 to 30 women 
live and suffer chronic disabilities, the most acute of which is 
obstetric fistula.
  It is estimated that there are 100,000 new fistula cases each year, 
but the international capacity to treat fistula remains at only 6,500 
per year
  I fully support this issue because it brings attention to one of the 
failed maternal health systems around the world. Fistula is virtually 
unknown in places where early pregnancy is discouraged, women are 
educated, family planning is accessible and skilled medical care is 
available. I feel that eradication of this problem in developing 
countries is a goal that the U.S. should work to make a reality.

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